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4. Grand Valley State (Division II)

Highlights:

• W Cross Country (3rd)
• Football (3rd)
• W Soccer (3rd)
• M Track & Field (4th)
• M Cross Country (4th)
• W Volleyball (5th)
• M Basketball (5th)

The Lakers absolutely pummeled their Division II opponents this year, placing in the top five of seven sports so far. And the year could have been even better. The GVSU football team finished 12-1 when its 40-game win streak was broken in the D-II semifinals. The men's basketball team finished the year 36-1 - a D-II record for victories - after a heartbreaking loss in the Elite Eight.

3. LSU

Highlights:

• Football (1st)
• W Track & Field (2nd)
• W Basketball (3rd)
• M Track & Field (4th)

After the annual controversy about which football teams should be playing for the national title, LSU proved itself a worthy champion by crushing Ohio State, 38-24. The Lady Tigers basketball team made a fifth consecutive trip to the Final Four before a crushing, last-second loss to SEC-nemesis Tennessee. The third suspension in eight months for quarterback Ryan Perrilloux prevented LSU from placing even higher.

2. Texas

Highlights:

• M Swimming (2nd)
• M Track & Field (3rd)
• W Track & Field (4th)
• W Volleyball (5th)
• M Basketball (5th)

The Longhorns gave their burnt orange-clad fans plenty of reasons to cheer this season. Football was dominant as usual, going 10-3 and crushing Arizona State in the Holiday Bowl. The storied men's swimming program finished second at the NCAAs for the seventh time, while both the men and women's track and field squads placed in the top five nationally. Led by fabulous point guard D.J. Augustin, UT men's basketball came up just short of a trip to the Final Four.

1. Stanford

Highlights:

• W Cross Country (1st)
• W Basketball (2nd)
• W Volleyball (2nd)
• M Swimming (3rd)
• W Swimming (3rd)

The Cardinal dynasty continues. The winner of 13 straight Director's Cups (best overall athletic program), Stanford is cruising to another title. Both the men (Sweet 16) and women (national runner-up) dominated the hardwood. The women's cross country team won its third straight national title, while both swimming squads and the women's volleyball team nearly won titles as well. Even the football team chipped in, pulling off one of the greatest upsets of all time over USC, a 41-point favorite.